Tag Archives: Israel
Dear Russell,
Frankly I am not sure what upsets me more, the fact that you are still talking or the fact that last week the Huffington Post chose to provide you with a forum to regurgitate more of your self-serving ramblings(CLICK HERE TO READ THE OP-ED). I am glad you think you’re not an anti-Semite because indeed that may be a step in the right direction, but unless you wrote that piece after once again dropping acid, something that in the past gave you your “pro-Jewish” epiphany, you are missing some very important points in your argument.
First of all, there is no fair way to discuss Israel’s military action in Gaza without mentioning the terrorist activities of Hamas. Not only do you not do that, you never once even mention Hamas. I maintain, as I did in my last letter to you(CLICK HERE TO READ), that you, like so many others don’t go after terrorist groups as hard as you go after Israel because you know the Israeli government won’t hunt you down and kill you in the street. Hamas just might. So conveniently leaving Hamas out of the discussion, and with all the dribble you wrote I am sure it was not a mere oversight, you are once again showing your cowardice.
Here is why mentioning Hamas is so key to the discussion. You claim the actions by Israel are based in the economic gains of a right-wing government aligned with right-wing institutions in other parts of the world. You do not back it up with facts, facts I would love to see because it would be enlightening to see how the Gaza campaign did anything to better anyone economically. In truth the Gaza campaign was necessary, and sadly more campaigns will be in the future, because the ruling party of Gaza is sworn to the destruction of Israel and to the death of all Jews. You somehow missed that in your long Op Ed professing your love for the Jewish people.
Allow me to teach you something you are required to learn if you do not want to be deemed an anti-Semite or someone who promotes anti-Semitism. What you need to understand is more than just what you choose to see about an Israeli government. What you need to grasp better is the concept of the modern State of Israel.
The State of Israel declared independence in 1948, 3 years removed from the murder of 6 millions Jews. Or as your buddy Khaleed Meshaal says, a genocide only half as bad as what Israel committed in Gaza. Israel was not set up as a way for Jews to colonize the entire Middle East or commit atrocities. It was set up as a safe-haven, a guardian nation so to speak, for a race of people, my people incidentally, that was devastated in an unspeakable fashion. The State of Israel was in somewhat set up as a nation designed to guarantee that what happened to the Jewish people under Hitler would indeed never happen again. So when you promote political and philosophical viewpoints that put the State of Israel in danger for its life, you don’t merely attack Benjamin Netanyahu and Likud, you attack Jews worldwide. You may claim that you are not an anti-Semite, but your statements increase the likelihood of many dead Jews. Regardless of what you claim to be your intentions, it doesn’t get much more anti-Semitic than that.
I loved this line of yours in your Op Ed: “It is the exclusion of the sane majority that allows extremists to prosper. The insanity across the Middle East is so deeply terrifying and giddyingly futile that most people, despondent and bilious want to look away.” And yet, no mention of Hamas. No mention of terrorism. No mention of how similar Hamas is to ISIS or how Israel gives more civil rights to their Muslim citizens than almost every Arab country. It seems like you almost get it sometimes, but then your personal bias or delusion takes over and you revert back to the Neo anti-Semite you so don’t want to be. Cough cough.
Although most people seemed to like my first letter to you, there were some disturbed my personal attacks on you. I almost felt bad about it till I read how in referring to Bill O’Reilly you said he was “A hollering parasite of his own punctured anus,” and Sean Hannity you called a “Fox News’ shop-dummy-polemicist.” I feel much better about calling you an idiot and a coward now. Something I still believe to be true.
Since you claim to believe in positive action, here’s a suggestion for some very positive action. Shut up. You are actually doing more harm than good. I know you think you are this generations Jesus, but in truth you are merely a court jester giving more Brits the ultimate justification to jump on a plane to Syria, (via Turkey) to sign up for ISIS and battle the west you clearly seem to hate so much. Funny enough, it’s the same west that made you rich. I think you need to realize there is something far worse than being so despondent and bilious that you want to look away. It’s looking right at it and ignoring the truth. Something anti-Semites are very good at.
Sincerely,
David Groen
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Leave a comment | tags: 1948, anti-Semite, Benjamin Netanyahu, Bill O'Reilly, FOX News, Gaza, Hamas, Hitler, Huffington Post, ISIS, Israel, Jesus, Jews, Khaleed Meshaal, Likud, Middle East, Muslim, pro-Jewish, Russell Brand, Sean Hannity, State of Israel, Syria, turkey | posted in Uncategorized
July 8, 2014 was the day Israel began Operation Protective Edge. After countless missile attacks with no end in sight and the kidnapping and murder of 3 Yeshiva students by Hamas, Israel finally had enough. It began with airstrikes and turned into a ground operation. Once Israel discovered the terror tunnels, they were committed to staying in Gaza till each and every one was destroyed. Over 2,000 people died during the operation, a large percentage of which were Palestinian civilians. Awful. Just awful. Especially if the first day of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was July 8, 2014.
However, despite what Palestinian leadership, the Turkish President, Russell Brand, Bryan Adams and millions of Muslims everywhere want you to believe, this conflict did not begin this past July 8th. If you are to look at the events that took place from July 8, 2014 without going back further, you may see Israel as being a lopsided aggressor. Even then you need to choose to ignore how Hamas uses its people as human shields. If however you look at the months, years and decades leading up to this operation you see a completely different story. The true story.
I could go back to 1929 and speak of the Hebron massacre when Jews were slaughtered by Muslims prior to any establishment of a Jewish state. We could talk about how after the United Nations in 1948 partitioned land for the new Jewish State of Israel, of which the West Bank and Gaza was not included, and how all the surrounding Arab nations attacked it in am attempt to wipe out the Jews and finish Hitler’s work. We could talk about how the West Bank belonged to Jordan but Jordan didn’t want it back because they didn’t want to deal with the residents. We could also talk about how Egypt controlled Gaza and never wanted it back for the same reason or how Israel withdrew from Gaza and gave it every opportunity to develop into something special, but instead allowed Hamas to take over and drive it into the ground.
We could talk about the civilians Israel killed while aiming at missile launchers or we could talk about the thousands of Israelis killed in terrorist attacks. We could talk about a blockade or bombing of a hospital shielding Hamas missiles, or we could talk about how entire families were blown up in Pizza places and malls by people who were proud to kill as many Jews as possible. I could go back to Yasser Arafat, the Godfather of terrorism and hijacked planes, murdered passengers and the murder of Israeli athletes at the Munich Olympics. I could go back to 3 murdered Yeshiva boys.
But none of the matters if you want Israel to look like the aggressor, because when you do you only go back as far as July 8, 2014. If you go back any further you might have to admit that Israel has every right to defend itself. Something it has always been forced to do and has become so good at doing it now gets criticized for it. It’s the greatest lie of omission you will ever see. It pretends nothing ever happened before July 8, 2014. And too many people are believing it.
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Leave a comment | tags: $47 million in humanitarian aid to Gaza, 1948, 3 yeshiva students, Arab, Bring Back our Boys, Bryan Adams, Egypt, Eyal Yifrach, Gaza, Gilad Shaar, Godfather, Hamas, Hebron massacre of 1929, hijackings, Hitler, Israel, Jordan, Munich Olympics, Naftali Frenkel, Operation Protective Edge, Palestinians, president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Russell Brand, Sbarro Pizza, Sbarro Pizza suicide bombings, State of Israel, Turkish, United Nations, West Bank, Yasser Arafat | posted in Uncategorized
Dear Bryan,
Earlier today I listened to what I considered to be my favorite song for one last time. The song I listened to was your song, “Everything I do”. You might say I am overly sensitive, even childish. After all, just because someone holds views I don’t like it shouldn’t stop me from enjoying a song or a movie or a TV show. I would answer, I see your point, but there is a lot at stake here. Something far more important than coming off as a big-time humanitarian who learns only half of the facts and opines on Twitter. What I understand is at stake here, but you either don’t see or don’t care, is the survival of not only the Jewish people, but the very civilization you thrive in. So once I know someone believes in something so harmful to the safety of Israel, the Jewish people and ultimately the entire planet, their “art” becomes distasteful to me. Just as I no longer enjoy listening to Pink Floyd because of my disgust for Roger Waters, I now have lost interest in listening to your music.
I will briefly address the following quotes you made on Twitter.
“I can’t speak for others, I only speak for myself: I say the war against Gaza was a crime against humanity”
Regarding the statement that the war was started in response to Hamas killing the 3 Yeshiva students you replied:
“it was never proved who was responsible, and it’s not justification for murdering 2000+ people…541 kids”
“and the Israeli blockade of Gaza just entered its 8th year, leaving its 1.7 million inhabitants destitute”
“Nobody here is anti-semitic – I’m / we’re just pro-people and pro-freedom”
Well you are right. The war Hamas has waged on Gaza is a constant crime against humanity. Learn the facts Bryan. They’ve squandered and stolen billions from their people.
Never proved? They just admitted it. And the cease-fire Hamas only now accepted was offered long before many of these deaths. Deaths on the hands of Hamas for using their people as human shields. Or did they not prove that either?
The blockade is not why they are destitute. Their rulers stealing money is. Incidentally, the blockade is there to keep out weapons, not food and supplies.
And lastly, being pro-people and pro-freedom means being that for all people. If you look up the history you’ll see what Israel has had to endure from these terrorists. Terrorists whose main objective has always been to murder Jews. Israel’s objective has always been peace. With that in mind to be quite blunt, if you support HAMAS it is anti-Semitic. They have made it very clear that they won’t be happy till every last Jew on the planet is dead. But you won’t look it up because you, like so many others don’t want to know the truth. And this Mr. Adams, makes your once beautiful music ugly to my ears. Maybe it’s because while you attempt to come off like someone who cares about humanity, you know it’s true, everything you do, you do for you.
Sincerely,
David Groen
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26 Comments | tags: 3 yeshiva students, anti-Semitic, Blockade of Gaza, Bring Back our Boys, Bryan Adams, Everything I do, Gaza, Hamas, Israel, Israeli, Roger Waters, Twitter | posted in Uncategorized
Dear Mr. Carter,
For a long time I shied away from writing you this letter. Seeing as you are a former President of the United States I imagine I am restricted at some of the things I am allowed to say to you, certainly in the manner in which I say them. Despite that I will speak to you openly and will temper my remarks out of the respect I have for the rule of law in the United States of America.
Even your biggest critics and detractors have never doubted your intellectual capacity. Your comments and sentiments can’t be chalked up to just being an ignorant peanut farmer. Some people believe age has caught up to your mind and that a degree of dementia has set in. I think that is an unfair thing to say, especially in light of the fact that the culpability you try to apply to Israel is more as a result of your botched policies 35 years ago when you were a much younger man, and incidentally and sadly, the American president.
If I thought you were merely a dumb man, I believe I would be a little less disturbed by your frequent anti-Zionist rantings and I would be more amused instead. However, the anti-Zionist/anti-Semitic statements you frequently and exuberantly make are deliriously and cleverly mixed with language that makes the less educated and open-minded people of the world susceptible to your misinformation.
Let’s be honest here Mr. Carter. Had you not mishandled the Iranian revolution in epic fashion, the worst problems we face today may not ever have existed. Had you shown the strength and character to address the Muslim uprising back then in the manner you should have, the people of Gaza who you pretend to care for so much would not be controlled by the corrupt iron fist of an Iranian puppet.
I know you feel the best solution to the world’s problems is a lot of dead Jews, but as one of those Jews I find your approach to be a disgrace to America, to good Christians everywhere, and to the special and respected office you once held.
I know you find your own opinions to be fascinating, but please keep in mind that a long time back they weren’t even impressive enough to win you a second term in office.
I wish you health and a long life, I just hope I don’t have to hear what you have to say anymore.
Sincerely,
David Groen
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4 Comments | tags: America, anti-Semitic, anti-Zionist, Christians, Gaza, Iranian revolution, Israel, Jews, Jimmy Carter, Muslim, president, United States | posted in Uncategorized
THIS A QUICK POST WONDERING WHERE ARE ALL THE “VOICES OF REASON” NOW. ALL THOSE PEOPLE, PRESIDENT OBAMA, INCLUDED THAT CALLED FOR ISRAEL TO SHOW RESTRAINT SHOULD BE THANKING ISRAEL NOW FOR THE EXCEPTIONAL RESTRAINT IT IS SHOWING. AS WE WITNESS A HAMAS STYLE TRUCE, MEANING ISRAEL STOPS FIRING AND HAMAS CONTINUES TO FIRE MISSILES AT ISRAELI POPULATION CENTERS, EVEN THE SLIGHTEST AMOUNT OF GENUINE ACKNOWLEDGMENT WOULD BE NICE. DON’T HOLD YOUR BREATH. THE DOUBLE STANDARD HAS BECOME THE STANDARD.
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Leave a comment | tags: Hamas, Israel, President Obama | posted in Uncategorized
Dear Friends,
If there is one thing you learn being a child of Holocaust survivors, it is that no matter how much you try to put yourself in their shoes, you just can’t. It is with that knowledge and awareness that I write this letter to you, those survivors that are condemning Israel over its actions towards the Palestinian people. Despite the shock your comments and sentiments have caused to so many of us, (CLICK HERE TO READ STATEMENT) out of the respect I have for what you went through I have chosen to write this letter as more of a plea for you to come to your senses than a criticism of your actions. I will make it a given that your intentions are pure, even if I and many more like me believe they are misguided.
No one who survived the horrors of Nazi Germany needs a lesson from me or from anyone else of my generation as to the actions committed during what is one of the blackest mark in the history of humankind. Having spoken often to my parents, my father of blessed memory and my mother who is, thank God still alive and well, I have as good of an understanding as I can in my position, as to what took place. I know that Hitler hated the Jews from the start. Targeted them, scapegoated them, dehumanized them, and ultimately murdered them in massive and devastating numbers. He made the elimination of the Jewish race more than just an emotional cause, he made it a government sanctioned law. Even before the mass murdering started, he left no doubt that he wanted Jews to be no part of society, not only in Germany but everywhere his Nazi party occupied. As is so clearly stated in the definition of Genocide, once he managed to rally the support of a desperate German nation behind him, Hitler specifically targeted the Jews in a deliberate and systematic attempt to exterminate the Jewish people. I will spend the next paragraph outlining the similarities between what Nazi Germany did to the Jews and what Israel is doing to the Palestinians.
It will be a very short paragraph. THERE ARE NO SIMILARITIES!
As I previously stated, this is more than a letter to all of you. This is a plea. I am practically begging you to come to your collective senses. Israel has not been perfect in its treatment of Palestinians, but it’s not only done more for them than many other nations do for a minority population, it’s done more for them than any Muslim nation in the world has done.
Please read the Hamas charter. It calls for the elimination of Jews from Israel and the murder of Jews worldwide. With that in mind I ask you this question. Had there been a Jewish army in 1943 or 1944 would it have been wrong for that army to bomb Berlin, even if in targeting official government locations it would have killed German women and children?
I appreciate and agree that dead women and children dying in war is always a tragedy. I just urge you to realize that the deaths are not always the fault of the ones dropping the bombs.
In the name of God and all that is good and decent I ask all of you to stop this madness. The last line of your statement may be the most important one in that it references the phrase “Never Again”. I agree that “Never Again” means NEVER AGAIN FOR ANYONE, but it also means that sometimes actions, often harsh and painful actions, need to be taken to back up that phrase.
Sincerely,
David Groen
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4 Comments | tags: Adolph Hitler, apartheid, Gaza, genocide, Germany, God, Holocaust, Holocaust survivors, Israel, Jewish survivors and descendants of survivors and victims of Nazi genocide unequivocally condemn the massacre of Palestinians in Gaza, Muslim, Nazi | posted in Uncategorized
Let me start by making something very clear. I am by no means making light of the horrific and graphic murder of journalist James Foley. I am however asking two very important questions. My first question is why did it take till now for everyone to take the threat of ISIS as seriously it should have? And my second question is, as the United States debates bombing a second country after the beheading of one journalist, why has it been so hard for the world to accept Israel’s reaction to the murder of three teenage boys?
The questions seem very different but the answer may be the same. Regarding the subject of terrorism, Muslim extremism and the threat it poses to the entire civilized world, the Israeli government and its supporters, in Israel and throughout the world, are ahead of the curve. As much as I dislike them on a personal level, the celebrities who proudly display their anti-Semitic sentiments through opposition of Israel’s actions don’t understand how much they are hurting themselves in the process. I dare say that to some this is a new Muslim Chic. Captivated by the culture, the music, the hum of the call to prayer, the smooth talking Palestinian leaders have them taken in by what they see as the Palestinian’s plight. I am not going to berate Liam Neeson for expressing his attraction to Islam because he did so in a positive context, but I may also want to say to him, come take a look at Judaism. We don’t have large factions within our ranks looking to take over the planet through brutal violence.
Criticizing the realities that exist within Islam is not racist, its realistic and practical. Celebrities and politicians who have bent over backward to ignore those realities until now are partially to blame for James Foley’s death and for those who will be murdered by these factions in the future. When the two young stars, Rihanna and Selena Gomez tweeted messages along the lines of “Free Gaza” or “Free Palestine”, did they ever stop to consider how young women like them are treated by the Hamas government and the society they are defending? In contrast are they aware of the equality and opportunities provided to young women in Israel, even going as far as being important contributors in the military? I am sure they didn’t. They posted it on Twitter because it seemed like a fun, neo-humanitarian thing to do at the time. Not so much fun anymore when there’s a video of an American journalist being beheaded on YouTube is it?
If the rest of the western world had put the same value on the lives of Naftali Frenkel, Eyal Yifrach, and Gilad Shaar as Israel did, and supported the operation in Gaza as it should have and understood its importance, it would have sent a message to groups like ISIS and Hamas, and even the oft ignored ringleader Iran, that it understood what is at stake. But not only did they not do it then, some continue to not do it today. But to those who needed to see it in front of them to make it real, the beheading of James Foley was a wake up call. Not so Chic anymore is it?
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1 Comment | tags: ames Foley, anti-Semitic, Bring Back our Boys, Eyal Yifrach, Free Gaza, Gaza, Gilad Shaar, Hamas, ISIS, Islam, Israel, Israeli, It's all fun and games till someone loses an eye, Judaism, Liam Neeson, Muslim, Muslim Chic, Naftali Frenkel, Palestinian, Rihanna, Selena Gomez, terrorism, Twitter, United States, YouTube | posted in Uncategorized
Until his death almost 5 years ago, author and journalist William Safire was best known for his column “On Language” in the weekly New York Times Sunday magazine. I could never come close to matching his brilliant writing skills particularly in picking apart the misuse of words and phrases. I will say with the word Genocide being thrown around so liberally when discussing Israel’s actions in Gaza, I miss him now more than ever and will take a shot at what he might have said.
It would be morally wrong to attempt to speak for someone who has left this earth, but when I look up Mr. Safire’s background and the history of his political views, I tend to believe he would have been supportive of what Israel has been doing in Gaza. With that in mind, in honor of his memory I will attempt to deconstruct the most despicable and ridiculous argument made by Israel’s detractors. The claim of Genocide.
I’ve addressed this before in previous articles but never have I made this one issue, the meaning of the word and its proper application, the primary focus. I started by looking up the definition. The definition as stated by Merriam-Webster is as follows: “the deliberate and systematic destruction of a racial, political, or cultural group.”
The first and important word in the definition is “deliberate”. In genocide’s throughout history, the governments committing them have made no secret of the desire to exterminate a people. Israel’s killing of civilians is not only not deliberate, it’s just the opposite. Israel is publicly stating that it is making every attempt possible not to harm civilians, and is only doing so when Hamas places rockets in area where they are given no choice. Genocide is not defined as the murder of civilians when given no other choice.
The second word is “systematic”. This adds another element to this ridiculous claim. The population in both Gaza and the West Bank is growing at a faster rate than the population in Israel. If Israel really is committing genocide it’s doing a pretty bad job. Even the people who hate Israel don’t question its military efficiency and capabilities in accomplishing its goals. Ironically the only people who do question Israel’s strategy are hardliners within Israel that may actually be in favor of harsher military action, and even they are not trying to wipe out a race, they merely feel the only way Israel will be safe is through a more severe military approach.
The last part of the definition can be just as easily rebutted; “destruction of a racial, political, or cultural group.” Seriously? What nation that has committed genocide in the past against a group of people allows that group into its parliament? What nation committing genocide goes after this “political or cultural group” only when attacked first? I guess there may be some credibility to this part of the statement if you are to say that Israel would like to systematically destroy Hamas. But that only works if rather than realizing Hamas is a terrorist organization you somehow have chosen to see it as a political or cultural group.
I’ve seen signs that say, “Well done Israel. Hitler would have been proud.” I actually agree with the second part of the sign. Hitler would have been very proud of all those people going after Israel for no reason other than the fact that it is run by Jews, and the fact that one of the most devious clever forms of anti-Semitism today is comparing Israel to Nazi Germany.
I am sure William Safire would have said it much better than I just did, but all we can do is imagine how well he would have picked apart this ridiculous and cynical argument. An argument we need to stop in its tracks.
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3 Comments | tags: anti-Semitism, Gaza, genocide, Hamas, Hitler, Israel, Merriam-Webster, Nazis, New York Times Magazine, On Language, William Safire | posted in Uncategorized
I am here to announce to the world that it is now official. I am renouncing my Liberal status. Let me be clear that this is not a total overhaul of my views and opinions on all the social issues that could only label me as a Liberal. Those views have not changed. The reason for me renouncing my status is that I no longer wish to be associated with people making excuses for bad behaviors and for those who are tolerant of anti-Semitism masquerading as anti-Zionism.
I recently wrote 2 letters, one to George Clooney and another to Russell Brand. Although the vast majority appear to have enjoyed and agreed with the tone and content of the letters, I have received more criticism on these letters than on anything I’ve ever written. I don’t mind the criticism, on some levels I even like it. I don’t suppress opinions and generally don’t wish physical harm on anyone for having opinions that differ from mine. What I do have a problem with are people believing they are taking some sort of moral high ground by not criticizing anti-Semites or being so careful to not unfairly demand the opinion of those who could influence the thoughts of millions. I am convinced they take this approach because they either don’t truly understand how high the stakes are or because they are just too frightened to do otherwise. Either way it’s a mistake.
Let me break it down and explain something everyone needs to understand before it is too late. Yes I ridiculed Russell Brand. I insulted him, referenced his mental illness, and attacked his character more than I attacked his words. Although I stand by everything I said to him, let’s say for argument sake my letter was a despicable and unfair defamation of character. It’s still not even close to being as bad as what he is doing. Hamas has two things people need to be aware of when looking at the entire picture. First they have a charter that speaks of its commitment to driving every Jew out of Israel and its mission to kill every Jew alive. The second is a sponsor, Iran, with a large supply of weapons and a hatred for Israel, as well as a budding alliance with a rogue and nuclear North Korea. Hamas has stated that its conditions for a cessation of hostilities includes the opening of a port and lifting of the Naval blockade. If this would be done under Hamas leadership, it would put the very survival of the State of Israel in jeopardy. So when Russell Brand gets on his high horse and criticizes Israel for his actions, he is in essence saying that its survival means absolutely nothing to him. He is saying to me and to the world that it is perfectly acceptable to have North Korea ship nuclear weapons into Gaza. So now I ask those of you attacking my words and defending him, what is more offensive? One man insulting and ridiculing another or the other calling for actions that translate into millions of dead Jews?
I’m more concerned as to whether or not George Clooney, a man who potentially can influence millions feels as his anti-Semitic fiance does, than I am with whether or not someone thinks I am out of line for connecting her words to him. That misplaced use of Liberal ideals and so-called tolerance is unacceptable to me. As I’ve said many times, “Never Again” does not mean Never Again unless it insults George Clooney.
Listen to the words of someone who has called himself a Liberal till now and has done so without apology. Wake up and start realizing what is at stake here. I do not have any children of my own, but I have many children in my family who I hope will be able to live a happy and safe life. Too much tolerance for anti-Semitic behavior and too much concern for the feelings of people who aren’t helping us when they should is what truly offends me. They threaten the safety of all Jewish children and ultimately all children on the planet, including the very children they pretend to defend. If that doesn’t offend you more than a personal attack on an actor, I urge you to reexamine your values. Furthermore, this thought process that has people thinking my “nasty” letters somehow contribute to anti-Semitism is dangerously naive. One person even said that Amal Alamuddin, George Clooney’s fiance, gave us a gift by turning down a spot on the panel as though she did it for any other reason other than her own benefit. I am not going to thank an ant-Semite for something merely because they took one less action of hatred against Jews.
I used to believe that the ideal of Liberalism brought people together even when they disagreed on important issues. Maybe it does that on some levels, but when it becomes a tool with which to hold views that translate into serious harm for the Jewish people and the entire civilized world, not only do I want no part of it, I question why anyone else who loves a peaceful and secure world would.
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1 Comment | tags: Amal Alamuddin, anti-Semitism, anti-Zionism, George Clooney, Hamas, Iran, Israel, Jew, Jewish, liberal, North Korea, Nuclear, nuclear weapons, Russell Brand | posted in Uncategorized
Clearly I am not objective. I love Israel and hate Hamas. I believe Hamas is to blame for the deaths of not only Israelis but Palestinians as well. I believe Benjamin Netanyahu is a great man and Khaleed Meshaal is an evil man. I agree with Netanyahu when he says, “If the Arabs put down their weapons there would be no more war. If Israel put down her weapons, there would be no more Israel.” Clearly I am not objective.
I make no claims to be objective. However, despite my lack of objectivity I do seek the truth. So much so that I acknowledge that Israel has made mistakes and done some things they should not have done over the past 66 years. But there is no truth that justifies the attacks Israel has had to endure, be they violent attacks from terrorists or verbal attacks from anti-Semites. If presented with factual evidence of a certain truth, even one that opposes my views, I would address it honestly and make every attempt to be fair in my assessment. The question is, why won’t my enemies do the same?
It’s because the truth has no meaning to them. Most anti-Israel and anti-Semitic sentiment is not based in truth. It’s either based in ideology or communal involvement. People like to be part of something. Even something motivated by hate. The ideology however is what drives everything. It drives terrorism, stirs up the masses, allows the leaders to make statements they know are not true, but justify with their beliefs. A friend once said to me, “people buy with emotion and justify it with logic.” Once the masses buy the bill of goods sold to them by the mini-dictators popping up all over the world, they search for the logic to back it up. For example, the number one lie being told is that Israel is committing genocide. Once that message is sold to the Muslim masses by the Imans, all they need now is a complicit al-Jazeera or CNN to show a man holding an injured or dead child in his hand in Gaza and the people have their “logic” to back up the sale.
Here’s the problem with that. When you use that method the truth is irrelevant. The only thing that matters is pushing your agenda. Even visual evidence won’t matter anymore. You passionately sell an ideal, even one of hate, show one image, maybe only make one ridiculous claim that can be used to back it up, and its sold. Russell Brand goes on a hateful diatribe against Israel on his online channel he calls the Trews, claiming it is True News, and people who like the movie star buy into it, even though he sits there and blatantly obstructs the truth from his listeners. Hamas sells the idea that Israel is indiscriminately bombing Gaza, targeting women and children, and those who have already bought into anti-Zionism and Jew hatred see a blown up building and they’ve seen enough. We could have a 10 page document and 100 pictures proving that Hamas put those innocents in harms way by using them as human shields and it would make no difference. They’ve already decided what they want to believe. The truth doesn’t matter anymore.
Do we combat this with lies of our own? I say no. But I do think we need to be a little less concerned about whether or not we are unfair to those allowing those lies to be spoken and should be spending less time defending those who only express an (anti-Semitic) opinion. Tolerance is a very charitable trait, particularly in war time, and as we all know charity starts at home.
As I responded in social media when someone criticized my letter to George Clooney, “Never Again” does not mean Never Again unless we insult George Clooney. Never Again means recognizing the signs and doing all we can to prevent it. I believe the truth is always the right way, but being tolerant at our own expense is not.
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Leave a comment | tags: Al Jazeera, anti-Israel, anti-Semites, anti-Zionism, Benjamin Netanyahu, CNN, Gaza, genocide, George Clooney, Hamas, Imans, Israel, Israelis, Jew, Khaleed Meshaal, Muslim, Never Again, Palestinians, Russell Brand, The Trews | posted in Uncategorized
Dear Russell,
Holland's Heroes 